Saturday, July 8, 2000 -- Kanawha State Forest, WV
Rattlesnake Trail 50K Ultrarun
Story by Mickey J. Jones with photos by Dave McKain and Don Parks, with additional photo contributions from Mickey J. Jones.
[Details]
[Coverage]
[Overall Results]
Pictures:
[Set 1]
[Set 2]
[Set 3]
[Set 4]
[Set 5]
[Set 6]
[Set 7]
[Set 8]
Check the bottom of Pic Set 8 for 3 QuickTime Movie Clips!
See also: [1998 Coverage]
[1999 Coverage]
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This year's finish was the closest in the history of the race. It's
strange how a 50k trail run ends up being a 100-yard sprint to the
finish as the leaders came off the trail. Michael Schuster of
Woodbridge, Virginia (3:55:47) nipped Huybert Groenendaal
(3:55:49) by a mere two seconds. Huybert had just arrived in Kennett
Square, PA from The Netherlands. Michael had previously run under the
coaching direction of former race winner and course record holder
Howard Nippert and West Virginia native Steve Taylor. I also
appreciated the time Huybert spent during the pre-race brief educating
me in the finer pronunciation of his name not knowing that I would
benefit from it at the presentation of the awards.
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The Female Champion, Anne Riddle (4:30:18) of Asheville, NC set
a new course record of 4:49:14 that had been previously held by the
second place finisher, Anong Pustow (KY, 4:40:05). Anne had
surged ahead after twenty-four miles in a tight race for all three top
positions. It also came down to a sprint to the finish with a split of
two seconds between Anong and the third place finisher, Linda
Barhorst (OH, 4:40:07). They both eclipsed the previous course
record. Joni Adams (WV, 5:19:53) was crowned as the female
Masters Champion; she has been a previous winner in this event.
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The 2nd annual Rosemary Platt Memorial Award was presented to
Ingrid Honzak (OH, 6:19:40), this award was named in honor of a
local runner who had battled cancer, run again and then succumbed to
cancer last year. Rosemary and her husband Bill had been a big
inspiration and support to my personal running regimen through major
injury and they had been early supporters and participants in this
race. The 2nd annual Dave Berry Memorial Award was presented to
John Porter (WV, 7:17:20) who had recovered from a heart attack
in the past year. He had been a present and past inspiration to the
co-race director Dennis Hamrick (WV, 6:33:42), who had a
gratifying run after his dehydrated red light ride during Laurel
Highlands this year. These awards are presented as a token of the
admiration and pride to the ultra runners who exhibit the perseverance
and attitude that are respected by their peers.
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It was good to have Pam and Rob Apple (TN, 8:09:22) do
some course sweep. We were glad to welcome the large turnout from
Pennsylvania and Ohio along with others traveling considerable
distances and one had even called from the other side of the world to
inquire during his travels. It was a shame that Angie Buckley
had to withdraw right before the race due to injury but husband,
Mike Buckley (OH, 5:08:02) seemed to enjoy the locale and the
run. I know many remember in the previous running of the race seeing
Marty Toth (PA, 6:44:41) working the aid stations and now
getting back in the flow after an injury time-out. After the race, he
was going to crew for Rick Freeman (PA, 4:36:04) who was going
to do a triathlon [Scenic
Mountain Triathlon] the day after this race. The first West
Virginia finisher was Parkersburg native Chip Allman (4:32:33).
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The 7th running of the Rattlesnake Trail 50k will be on Saturday, July 14, 2001.
Thanks for your Ultra-Support
Mickey J. Jones
mjjones_ultrapolecat@msn.com
Race Director